Terrorists abducted the wives and daughters of Imam Abubakar Muhammad Digare, along with several women and children, during a brazen nighttime raid in Bauchi State.
The assault unfolded late Saturday, February 14, 2026, when armed terrorists stormed the residence of Digare, the Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), in Digare town within the Gwana District of Alkaleri Local Government Area.
Witnesses reported that the attackers invaded under the cover of darkness, forcibly taking multiple victims to an undisclosed location before fleeing the scene.
Local residents described the chaos as overwhelming, with gunfire echoing through the quiet community and families scrambling for safety.
Security analyst Bakatsine, who first highlighted the incident on social media, confirmed that the terrorists targeted the imam’s home specifically, abducting his immediate family members and additional women and children from the household.
Meanwhile, community members expressed mounting fear, noting that movement in Digare has drastically reduced as people huddle indoors to avoid further threats.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement or confirm the exact number of abductees, and no ransom demands have surfaced as of Sunday evening.
This attack adds to the escalating wave of terrorist violence in northern Nigeria, where similar raids have plagued rural areas in Bauchi and neighboring states.
For instance, just days earlier, terrorists killed a man and abducted his wife and daughter in nearby Zalau village, underscoring the persistent insecurity.
Experts link these incidents to broader banditry and extremism, though JIBWIS, a Salafi reformist group, has faced scrutiny for its strict interpretations that some critics associate with radical elements.
Online reactions poured in swiftly, reflecting a divided public sentiment. Some users voiced sympathy and called for urgent rescues, with one X poster lamenting, “This is horrifying… prayers for safe return.”
However, others criticized JIBWIS’s influence, claiming it mentored future extremists. For example, a commenter asserted, “JIBWIS is the precursor to Boko Haram.
They brought the idea of interpreting Islam today consistent with the manner Muhammad and Muslims did 1400 years ago.”
Additionally, political undertones emerged, with posts blaming government incompetence and urging action ahead of the 2027 elections.
As investigations unfold, residents demand enhanced security measures to curb these terrorist incursions.
Nevertheless, the absence of immediate response from local authorities heightens anxiety, leaving families in anguish and the community on edge.
